University of Virginia?

Nitengale326 · Apr 20, 2004

HI

I am from Charlottesville, and UVA Nursing Program is one of the better I know of. The only downside is clinicals are not so long. Lots and Lots of theory and it makes for an excellent nurse. I guess they figure the bedside stuff will come in time after graduation. You will get some clinicals but not the same intensity as in say a community college. Besides, as you know there is no place prettier than Charlottesville in the spring time. Good luck.

JFlaniganJ · Apr 20, 2004

I appreciate the info on UVA.

From the State Nursing Board I received the following info on NCLEX pass rates:

UVA:

2003--88.9% 2002--84.3%

VCU:

2003--80% 2002--91%

GMU:

2003--77.4% 2002--70.7%

James Madison:

2003--89.1% 2002--87%

Piedmont CC:

2003--92.3% 2002--73.8%

The person I spoke with said they get concerned about a school with 2 consecutive pass rates below 80%.

Interesting, huh? I wish they'd post the scores on the web like some states :)

Jeannie

Hoos Your Nurse · Jul 20, 2004

Contrary to the other response on UVA- there is no shortage of clinical time when compared with a community college program. That's a common myth people spout when comparing a BSN vs. ADN program. Look on the www.nursing.virginia.edu curriculum link for yourself.

At UVA you will have 2 eight hour clinical days per week during most semesters- multiple med-surg, OB, Psych, Community, Peds. The real advantage to their program is the Synthesis Practicum portion of the curriculum which is completed in the last half of your last semester. During your practicum you will work one on one with a mentor in a unit of your choice for around 170 hours. All of your semester coursework will be completed in the first half of the semester, leaving April- May to work basically full time in your practicum site. A great help in calming your pre-real world nursing jitters. Plus, you get to choose what you're interested in- ER, critical care, OB, peds, community- anything!

UVA is a great program that prepares leaders in nursing, they teach you to think- not just perform skills- and, the University is the number one public university in the nation for a reason.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jul 21, 2004

A couple of people i work with that went to school there said that they felt like they could have benefitted from another school, because they felt like they were treated like a number when it came to clinicals.

Hoos Your Nurse · Jul 21, 2004

That's surprising because there is a state wide regualtion of how many students can be in a clinical group per instructor. Right now, VA legislation limits it to ten students per instructor- but UVA limits their clinicals to 8 students per instructor, further improving your one on one attention. The only downfall I experienced as a student was that sometimes I didn't get my first choice for a clinical area. For example, if I requested CCU for one of my med-surg clinicals, I was on a cardiac step-down floor instead. This mainly always revolved around everyone wanting a critical care clinical and there just not being enough beds/ co-assigned nurses in critical care to accomodate everyone who requested it. Maybe the discrepancy is in when your co-workers and I completed the program. I'm speaking of what's happening at UVA in the last 4 years.

JFlaniganJ · Jul 21, 2004

UVA is a great program that prepares leaders in nursing, they teach you to think- not just perform skills- and, the University is the number one public university in the nation for a reason.

I really appreciate reading your perspective--I'm leaning toward UVA as my first choice. Partly because I long to go home--partly because I respect the school so much--and from your post I gather than graduates emerge with both clinical experience and critical thinking.

At my age, I want to be challenged mentally and clinically and treated like an adult. I hope to find that at UVA!

Thanks,

Jeannie

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 21, 2004

I have worked with several graduates of the UVA program -- both the generic program and the 2nd degree program. All have been excellent nurses, far above average. As an employer, I am very happy when a UVA grad applies for one of my positions.

Not that VCU is not also a good school...

llg

Hoos Your Nurse · Jul 23, 2004

I really appreciate reading your perspective--I'm leaning toward UVA as my first choice. Partly because I long to go home--partly because I respect the school so much--and from your post I gather than graduates emerge with both clinical experience and critical thinking.
At my age, I want to be challenged mentally and clinically and treated like an adult. I hope to find that at UVA!
Thanks,
Jeannie

I was a second degree at UVA (my first was a biology degree from there too). It can be very awkward at times as a second degree. However, I can attest that whatever momentary frustrations I felt during the process, now that I am finished, have taken the NCLEX, and started my job- there's no doubt that the program prepared me well.

Theresa Carroll is in the nursing admissions office and will probably be the most positive person you meet in your life! Anyway, contact her if you need info. She will go out of her way to make you feel welcome. Good Luck!

FarmgrrlRN · Jul 24, 2004

I appreciate the info on UVA.
From the State Nursing Board I received the following info on NCLEX pass rates:
UVA:
2003--88.9% 2002--84.3%
VCU:
2003--80% 2002--91%
GMU:
2003--77.4% 2002--70.7%
James Madison:
2003--89.1% 2002--87%
Piedmont CC:
2003--92.3% 2002--73.8%
The person I spoke with said they get concerned about a school with 2 consecutive pass rates below 80%.
Interesting, huh? I wish they'd post the scores on the web like some states :)
Jeannie

Jeannie,

Just curious, how did you get these numbers? Is there a link to a state website? If so, please do share!

Thanks,

Christine

JFlaniganJ · Jul 26, 2004

Jeannie,
Just curious, how did you get these numbers? Is there a link to a state website? If so, please do share!
Thanks,
Christine

Unfortunately, no, the stats aren't posted online. I had to call the state board of nursing and ask about each school individually.

I spoke to Laura at 804-662-9947, and she was very helpful. I do wish they would post the pass rates, however.

Jeannie

hittme123 · Aug 23, 2004

So all of you from the Charlottesville area---tell me what you like to do for fun in your down time when you're not working/studying/etc. I just came down to Charlottesville this past weekend to visit a friend--didn't seem like much to do other than eating out/downtown mall/shopping...it was very pretty, a cute, quaint place...I just want to get some other feedback about it. Cost of living there seems reasonable. I'm from Northern VA. Any feedback would be much appreciated it. Also as I will be applying to UVA--do you think they accept transfers with different standards. Overall i've heard say if I apply as a freshman they only want the best if you know what I mean. I'll be coming from GMU and my grades are average--very well actually in the pre-nursing core classes like the sciences/nutrition/etc. I'm just wondering if my chances are decent to get in...